From a Wrong Turn to Mr. Right novel Chapter 243

When Daniel Gill rushed into the hospital, he found Nance Buck lying in the bed, her eyes barely open. Her face was as pale as the hospital sheets, and her breathing was so faint he wondered if he was imagining it.

A doctor patted Daniel on the shoulder and sighed. “If there’s anything left unsaid, now’s the time,” he murmured, before slipping quietly out of the room.

Daniel stood frozen, like his feet were nailed to the floor. He couldn’t move, couldn’t breathe.

Maybe she sensed him, or maybe it was just that mother’s instinct. Nance forced her eyes open, holding on to the last bit of strength she had left.

“Daniel…” Her hand trembled as she tried to lift it, but it barely left the blanket.

Daniel dropped to his knees beside her and took her hand in both of his. “Mom, I’m here.”

She looked at him, her lips almost colorless. She worked hard to get the words out. “Do you… hate me?”

Her voice was so quiet, it was barely more than a whisper.

Daniel shook his head, fighting back tears. “No, Mom. I don’t. I never could.”

A tear slid silently down Nance’s cheek and disappeared into the pillow. She tried to smile at her son, seeing the red rims around his eyes. “Don’t be sad, honey. I’m… I’m not afraid.”

Daniel clenched his jaw, nodding even though his heart was splitting.

Nance took a few shallow breaths, summoning her last bit of energy to speak. “Promise me… what’s ours, you’ll… take it back.”

Her voice faded with every word. Daniel nodded desperately. “I promise, Mom. I promise.”

She looked at him one final time and managed a tiny smile before her eyes slid shut and her breathing stopped.

Daniel sat there, holding her hand, his eyes rimmed red. But there were no tears—just a blank, hollow stare at his mother’s face.

Seven days. That’s all that was left until Christmas.

And she hadn’t managed to make it to the holidays.

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